Canvas-stretcher.



I. G. HOLICKY.

CANVAS STRETCHER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. I6. I915.

Patented May 18, 1915.

1G. Homcm .H. 8. Mix/ THE NORRIS PETERS Cav FHOTD-LITHON WASHINGTOAL D. I

JOHN G. HOLICKY, OF WILLOUGI-IBY, OHIO.

CANVAS-STRETCI-IER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 18, 1915.

Application filed February 16, 1915. Serial No. 8,611.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, JOHN G. HoLIoKY, a citizen of the United States, residing at VVilloughby in the county of Lake and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Canvas-Stretchers, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in canvas stretcher-s, and has for its object to provide a device of this character which embodies novel features of construction whereby it can be advantageously employed for such purposes as stretching canvas roofs upon railway coaches and the like.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a device of this character which is comparatively simple and inexpensive in its construction, which is operated by the feet so that the hands of the operator are free and can be used for driving nails and the like, and which will enable a single operator to dothe work which has previously been done by several operators, and to do it in less time.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel combinations and arrangements of the parts as will more fully appear as the description proceeds, the novel features thereof being pointed out in the appended claims.

For a full understanding of the invention, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a canvas stretcher constructed in accordance with the invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view on the line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the canvas stretcher with the jaws spread apart in an open position, the same as they appear in Fig. 2.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

Specifically describing the present embodiment of the invention, the numerals 1 designate a pair of hinged clamping jaws which have an elongated formation and are preferably constructed of aluminum or similar material. These jaws 1 are hinged at one of their longitudinal edges, as indicated at 2, and are provided upon their inner faces at points adjacent the swinging edges thereof with gripping strips 3. These strips 3 may be secured in position in any suitable manner, as by means of the screws 4 and the two strips have an opposed relation to each other, being each provided with alternately disposed points 3 and openings 3 which are arranged so that when the clamp is closed the points 3 of one strip will enter the openings 3 of the opposite strip.

The clamping jaws 1 are thickened at the swinging edges thereof, as indicated at 1 and are each provided toward opposite ends thereof wit-h openings within which guide members such as the pulleys 4 are mounted. A flexible cable 5 is provided at each end of the clamp, the two extremities of each of the cables being threaded around the pulleys 4c of the respective jaws 1 and passed through openings 6 in the opposite jaws. After passing through the openings 6 the extremities of the cables 5 are knotted at 7, the said knots being seated in the countersunk or enlarged outer ends of the openings 6 which have the plates 8 fitted over the same.

The intermediate portions of the flexible cables 5 pass around guide members or pulleys 9 applied to a foot plate 10 toward opposite ends thereof. When there is no pressure upon the foot plate 10 the hinged aws 1 can be readily swung apart so as to insert the edge of a piece of canvas or'the like between the same. The jaws 1 may then be closed and pressure applied to the foot plate 10 will operate through the flexible cables 5 to force the jaws together and hold them in a firm engagement with the canvas or other material placed between the same. The operator can stand on the foot plate 10 so as to apply his full weight thereto, since the greater the pressure upon the foot plate the tighter will be the canvas between the jaws gripped. The hands of the operator are free and can be used for nailing or other purposes, thereby enabling the device to be readily used by a single man.

With a canvas stretcher constructed in accordance with the invention a single man can stretch a canvas roof upon a railway coach in less time than is ordinarily required by several men to do the same work.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A canvas stretcher including a pair of elongated clamping jaws hinged upon one of the longitudinal edges thereof, longitudinally extending clamping strips applied to the inner faces of the clamping jaws and formed with alternately arranged points and openings disposed in such a manner that when the jaws are closed the points upon one of the clamping strips will enter the openings of the opposite clamping strip, a foot plate, and a cable having the intermediate portion thereof loosely connected to the foot plate while the end portions thereof pass loosely through the respective jaws of the clamp and are secured to the opposite jaws so that pressure upon the foot plate tends to force the jaws together. 1

2. A canvas stretcher including a pair of elongated jaws which have a hinged connection at one of their longitudinal edges, longitudinally extending clamping strips applied to the inner faces of the clamping jaws and provided with alternately arranged points and openings which are dis- 0'opies of this patent may be obtained for posed in such a manner'that when the aws are closed the points of one clamping strip enter the openings of the opposite clamping strip, pulleysapplied to opposite ends of the clamping jaws,ra foot plate, pulleys applied to opposite ends of the foot plate, and a pair of flexible cables, intermediate portions of the cables passing around the respective pulleys of the foot plate while the end portions of the cables pass around corresponding pulleys of the respective clamping jaws and are secured to the opposite clamping jaws so that pressure upon the foot plate tends to force the jaws together.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

Witnesses:

M. BELLE YAXLEY, I JOHN KAISER.

five cents each, by addressing the. Commissioner of Patents Washington, D. G. a

JOHN G. noLroKY. 

